Comments on: To Be Human

By: Salome

Salome — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 00:34:54 +0000

I really like this post. I’ve always been able to identify with characters like Data and Spock on Star Trek, as I’m fairly socially-awkward and I’ve had to struggle for most of my life to learn something that the world expects I take to naturally. I like that on Star Trek I can see characters who find human social dynamics similarly perplexing, whether they’re coming at it from the standpoint of an android whose programming dictates that he should struggle with human “manners,” or as a half-Vulcan who grew up in a completely different culture which places value on different things.
But I’d never thought before of Data in the way you describe him, and yet it also makes perfect sense. It’s really making me wish I had a copy of TNG that I could watch right now.
I think it’s a testament to the universality of Star Trek that characters like Data can mean so many different things to different people. I’d love to see more posts here from Feministe Trekkies on this subject.
Live long and prosper! *gives Vulcan salute*

By: Ms. Annie C

Ms. Annie C — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:25:58 +0000

I’ve always taken Data’s character to be a commentary on how we treat the mentally ill in our society– then again, I’m a pysch major and therefore rather biased haha
*Love* this interpretation of his role in ST:NG– I’ve honestly never thought about it from this angle and this entry was the catalyst for a great discussion about it with my bf (both of us hardcore trekkies). Thanks for the insight, I never would have thought of it this way.

By: kbc

kbc — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:57:04 +0000

r.t. (post #2) – thanks for your comment. I really appreciate the experience and insight, and your willingness to share that with us.

By: scootermom

scootermom — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:08:13 +0000

I miss Star Trek TNG. And Deep Space Nine. They had such great stories about human issues. People will be people, even in the future. It made me feel better to know, or at least think, that humans could evolve but never not be human.

By: Monica Roberts

Monica Roberts — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:47:12 +0000

Live long and prosper, Feministe!

And Zoe, I loved Battlestar Galactica as well both old and reimagined series.

By: Zoe Brain

Zoe Brain — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:56:51 +0000

I felt more like a Cylon. You know, the whole “pretending to be the opposite sex” gig that all trans people go through before they transition.

And the way we’re treated afterwards when we reveal who we are in the course of fixing up the problem.

It’s as difficult for our families too – can you imagine being in love with a Cylon, and only finding that out far too late?

By: Susan Jane

Susan Jane — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:30:51 +0000

I loved Data for a lot of reasons, because I always had such issues trying to fit in as well, and I wished I could turn my emotions off and be just like him sometimes, too. I hadn’t thought of his journey from a TG angle before, but it fits perfectly. Great post, this Trekkie salutes you!

By: Danny

Danny — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:25:33 +0000

Yeah I think a lot of people who felt like outsiders (for whatever reason) identified with Data’s attempts at humanity.

By: Alexis

Alexis — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:55:56 +0000

*intelligent = something that hasn’t already been said. Realized after I posted that my comment could’ve been taken badly.

By: Alexis

Alexis — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:55:01 +0000

I don’t think I can add anything intelligent to this discussion, but I’m going to say that this is my favorite post on this blog since I started reading it two years ago.